With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting primary seafood production, processing, logistics, and end-markets European Union consumers had access to just over 13 million metric tons (MT) of seafood last year, representing a year-on-year decrease of 215,000 MT, the new “Finfish Study 2021,” compiled by the E.U. Fish Processors and Traders Association (AIPCE-CEP) found.
The 30th edition of the report found the net E.U. domestic supply of seafood for human consumption slipped by 100,000 MT to just over 4.07 million MT, while imports from third-countries dropped below 9 million MT. At the same time, the E.U. exported 2.5 million MT of products, leaving a net consumption of 10.5 million MT, a decrease of 218,000 MT compared with 2019.
As a result, the EU27’s per capita consumption in 2020 decreased by 500 grams to 23.5 kilograms.
AIPCE-CEP reported the United Kingdom’s exit from the E.U. put pressure on the E.U.’s domestic supply, and that this supply situation is not expected to change in the short-term.
Supplies from third-countries will remain very important to fulfill E.U. demand, but competition for fish worldwide will persist, it said. Additionally, reduced air traffic and worldwide disruption of container traffic continues to cause logistical challenges for the trading of seafood.
“Cargo prices have increased significantly and are still at high levels. It has become more challenging for the E.U. processing industry to fulfill the E.U. consumer demand for fish,” it said.
Following Brexit, the E.U.’s dependence on imported seafood has increased to almost 69 percent of the total supply.
In terms of domestic production, the E.U.'s wild catches fell by almost 100,000 MT to 4.2 million MT in 2020, while its aquaculture production dipped slightly to 1.1 million MT.
AIPCE-CEP’s preliminary estimates for 2021 showed the EU’s total supply bouncing back to more than 13.3 million MT, its supply for human consumption climbing to 4.2 million MT, imports returning to 9.1 million MT, and net consumption rising to 10.9 million MT.
Per capita consumption in 2021 is expected to rise by one kilogram to 24.5 kilograms.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Mar/Shutterstock
